Jed Williams

During this tumultuous time of economic collapse, energy crisis, political scandal, and BCS chaos, we’re issued somber warnings faster than eggnog re-fills. This Christmas, be thankful. Hold onto to whatcha got. Count your blessings.

To all of that, I readily take my marching orders and reply with a holiday “amen” … except, that is, when the subject is athletics at my dear ol’ UVa. While the past 12 months have offered up heartwarming stories and exemplary student athletes, 2008 has been a big bah humbug on the playing fields, with the lumps of coal pelting Wahoos on the very first day of the New Year in the Gator Bowl.

Between the stunning fold against Texas Tech in Jacksonville and now, a men’s basketball team withered, a women’s basketball club had its NCAA Tournament hearts broken, men’s lacrosse and tennis matched that heartbreak in May, another baseball uprising ended in regional disappointment, both soccer teams fell short again, and the football program was engulfed in more turmoil, controversy, and disappointment than any I can remember.

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